SDR-Hammer

I really try to support my LHS but they are making it difficult. This is a point blank rant directed to the shop I was in tonight. I’m posting this to let off some steam and hopefully get the attention of people that work in or own a hobby shop. So they will look within their own operation for similar pitfalls and fix them.


Dear Local Hobby Shop, First of all drop the attitude… Even though I wasn’t the lucky recipient of the ever present holier than thou attitude tonight, it still sickens me to hear it. Standing behind the counter does not automatically make one the king of everything R/C. Even if you do know something that the customer doesn’t, drop the condescending attitude. Is it necessary to correct ones pronunciation of a part like he's an idiot when practically everybody in the store knows what he's talking about? Does that make you feel smart?… Dumbarse!

As for store stock, do you realize I would spend on average 50% more money per trip if you didn’t have so many empty peg hooks. I’m getting tired of hearing “we should be getting that in soon”. The funny part to that is, I’ve never inquired about the same item twice but I hear that line ever time I’m in the store. As long as I'm driving a half an hour, one way, to get to your store I might as well tack on another 15-20 and go the other direction to actually get what I need and without the jack***** attitude of EVERYBODY that works in the R/C department.

The number one issue that ticks me off is when I ask for an item by maker, size, color etc. and told it doesn't exist. Just because the store doesn’t have a peg hook for it, doesn’t mean it isn’t made. Repeat after me “We don’t stock that, but could order it for you”. When your hired help looks down their noses from their high pillars and tells me “so and so doesn’t make that” WRONG ANSWER! Do you realize nobody in your store has ever offered to order an item? Guess it’s just easier to get into a pi$$ing match with the customer than look in a catalog?

Then its not unusual get unsolicited advise every time I inquire if your store stocks a part. Here’s what typically happens: “Do you have part X?” “What do you need it for?” “Well I’m….” “I wouldn’t do that. Yada, yada, yada”

I didn’t not ask what YOU would do. I asked if you had a certain part. It’s my decision to fix and fly my planes in the manner in which I see fit. It’s your function to supply the part and information WHEN ASKED.


I feel better now! Anybody else what to join in my rant?

t_burley

My Feedback: (59)

sorry to here that?
move out here, we have a Helluva
a shop here in town. They may not have
EVERYTHING, as I dont think any shop would,
but they do get it in a timely manner.

Sorry your's isnt that way, wish they could be
all like "Racers Haven"

Todd

david a

Just order from an on-line hobby store, like Tower Hobbies. Going to a hobby shop to get routine stuff like screws and such is fine if you need them yesterday, but go on-line for specialty items.

thepope

My Feedback: (1)

SDR
That sounds EXACTLY like my LHS which by the way is 200 miles away. If they didn't treat me like crap everytime I was in their store (spent over $500.00 last time) I would make at least 6 trips a year to shop there. I get great service from Tower Hobbies and can get all kinds of help and advice at RCU so they can stick the attitude, I won't be back. I actually find a lot of electronics/computer stores the same way. Only thing different with them is there is lots to choose from, not so with the RC stores.
Bll

C_Watkins

My Feedback: (10)

It could be worse, Sdr... you could have them say, "No problem, we'll order it!".
and then call every other week for two months, only to find out they never did.
That time, it was a mast stopper for a Concept 30. They have a heli guy
who really knows his stuff... but he couldn't bring himself to tell me he
couldn't find one, I guess. Kept telling me he would order it "later today",
for the first couple of calls... then after a couple more, he told me he couldn't find it.

It didn't surprise me that he couldn't find one... just that it took him two
months to get off his duff and come to that conclusion, instead of a few days.


Or... you could have them order you something special, then call to ask
if it arrived, be told "YES", then drive 30 minutes one way, to hear, "aw man,
I just sold it, ten minutes ago... I thought that must've been you."
The item in question was a set of profile landing gear... which had been
put out on the pegs, instead of being placed under the counter for pickup
as I had asked... and as I was told it would be. I don't go there now, if I can help it.
I told the man, if they ordered them and kept them in sight... they would sell.
Figures he'd test the theory, with the set that I special ordered from him



There *are* some good guys at LHS's out there... but I'm seeing more and
more poor selection, and poor service as the norm, as time goes on.
I know it gets harder and harder to stock "everything", especially the way
whims change in RC, and the way the LHS has to try and keep up with the Empire.
Even more reason why they should at least go the extra mile in service and attention, IMHO.

GalenB

My Feedback: (18)

This happens to me a lot! The only saving grace is that the LHS is not 1/2 an hour away... I think I have pretty much convinced them that if I want it then they should stock it...

runover1

My Feedback: (10)

I know what you mean. When I go to LHS it is for what I want right now, not 3 days from now. I have 6 LHS within 1 hour drive, so I am fortunate. The problems lies in low or no stock in heavy use items, like Foam Rubber. I wanted a set of fuel dots and finally had to go online, because 2 shops had no idea what they were. I don't mind spending a little more to support LHS, but please keep stuff in stock. One LHS has run out of 15% fuel 3 times. That is mismanagement. I like Tower, but I hate waiting and paying a shipping fee. Two of the shops have PMS employees who have attitudes every few times you go in. At other times, these guys are great. Well, good luck with your LHS.

r1morris

My Feedback: (1)

Man I guess I'm lucky. We have one shop in town that may not be perfect but it goes a long way in being a true hobby shop. If he is out of an item he writes it down and it really does get ordered. He will show you the latest whatever in hopes for a fast sale. At least he keeps you informed. Always has a greeting to all that enters and treats most everyone with respect.
Sorry real butt brians so exist and should be ignored.
If your ever in Las Vegas look up Nice Twice Hobbies and visit Denny. One heck of a shop and one good man to deal with.

BasinBum

My Feedback: (2)

If your ever in Los Angeles stop by Hobby House in the San Fernando Valley.

They have EVERYTHING. Racks of Sig, Sullivan, Great Planes, Dubro etc. etc. etc. and not behind a counter but where you can actually see them. And spare engine parts and lots of kits and ARF's. They also sell used planes on consignment.

The owner knows almost everything and has told me once or twice to save my money on something I probabley didn't need anyway. I wanted a new plane that he had but it was the old version so he ordered the new one and had it within a week. He goes to the flying field 4 mornings a week and gives free lessons.

I am willing to pay a little extra to support him but with my local club membership 10% discount (dues are $25 per year) he is right in line with Tower on most items.

Borzak

My Feedback: (2)

Our local hobby shop tries to carry a shoestring stock to save money I guess. Problem is every time I hear "I can order it for you"....

Well guess what, 9/10 times I know exactly the part number I'm looking for. I can go home and order it myself, pay less for, get it faster than if I had the store order it for me.

To me that's the catch-22 of the local store. If you have to order it I'll just order it from a mail order/internet site and get it faster/cheaper. What I want out of a local shop is them to actually have what I'm looking for. Now I'm not talking about having some rare part but the usual stuff. Last month while working on a scale wooden ship model my local shop was out of #11 x-acto blades AND was down to the cheapy house brand CA glue.

Blah I just went over to the hobby lobby and got it even tho I felt dirty in there.

DavidAgar

My Feedback: (108)

I am the lucky one. I have a hobby shop that is about 30 minutes from me and he sells all the big stuff less than Tower. Yes he has to order some thing's, but I understand that he cannot stock everything and he does order it when asked. It is never more than a week away, which is about what mail order takes to get stuff shipped, so why not support the local fellow and save money as a bonus. I really like walking around the shop as it jog's my memory on thing's that I need or want. I just ordered and recieved in a week the new Great Planes P-38 kit. It sells for $99.99 at Tower, plus $7.50 shipping. I got it at the local shop for $94.99. Real nice fellow that own's it as well. Thanks Dave

Peter Khor

My Feedback: (4)

Got 4 LHS that deal with R/C, I mainly deal with 2 closer ones; the R/C only store (Rhealm) has most all of his stuff below Tower/Horizon prices and carry a good selection; the other one (HobbyTown) has a very good up front ordering policy, orders are put in on Mondays every week and come in Thru or Fri same week; you usualy get a call mid week to let you know if the item's OOS and if I want hime to try and re-order the following week. There's no S&H involved and prices are what Tower/Horizon's MAP is.

runover1

My Feedback: (10)

A fully stocked hobby shop can be a bad thing, for the wives anyway. I find it is like a casino, the longer I stand in there, the more I spend. The largest hobbystore in our county is expanding to twice its size. The only thing is it is about 45 minutes to an hour away. They have their own field and everything.

scottrc

I've had the same treatment from a store as well....And I have to travel 2 hrs to one. Since I let them know how I was feeling, they blew me off.

I also have to travel to the same town for my other hobby.
I'm an avid mountain biker, and since Wallmart started selling Schwinn and other name brand bikes, many of the bike stores around here took on a whole new attitude. Last year I spent $1200.00 at a local bike shop. A year later, he still calls and asks me how my stuff is doing, helps me with problems and maintenance, offers me specials, set up my wife with free course in mountain biking, and invites me on rides. And all the other stores, about five of them, do the same thing. And they are doing good business in a depressed economy.

Well, the bike industry is in the same boat as the hobbyshops, but they are doing something proactive that the hobby stores need to be doing, that is getting more involved with their customers and offering services, and all of their customers, not just a few "elitists" that come in and cut the bull and have coffee.

Just my opinion!

FLYBOY

My Feedback: (11)

Our local shop will not stock airplane stuff. THe one that did, stocked stuff noone would ever want. They would not take any advice and finally closed with a lot of inventory noone wanted. They sold it all to me at a huge loss, and I sold it all on ebay. The other one is starting to carry a few small parts, but never what you need. They stock a ton of car stuff. They would do well if they stocked some plane stuff, but insist on stocking the kits that will never sell. None of the RC guys go in unless they need something really bad, and then hardly ever get it. I have had them special order a few things for me, but most of the time, that is a bigger pain than needed. Bummer, they could do really well if they would just stock the stuff we ask for constantly. I had a shop before I went to flight school and started flying for a living and it did really well.

Goinstraightup

My Feedback: (26)

One bad apple doesn't mean the whole bushel is bad. My experience is that most LHS's are opposite of what you've described. Our LHS gives hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise to our club events, even though our club is VERY small. Club members get discounts and he matches all the mail order prices. I've run into a few things he couldn't get, but everything I can I get from him. Unlike yours, most hobby shops give a wealth of advice. I'm supporting my LHS.

FLYBOY

My Feedback: (11)

I wish we had a good one to support. I would use it a lot more.

Texas 3D

My Feedback: (16)

I make one weekly trip to one of our real well stocked Hobby Shops here in Houston. If he has in stock what I need at that time (of course you also buy stuff you don't need ) I buy it from them. If they don't have it, I buy it online. I do not order from the hobby shop.
As far as NIB ARF's or kits and engines goes as well as some radio gear, I look on RCU or ebay first. If not being able to find there I get it online also.

kwelz

My Feedback: (6)

That sounds a lot like the shop I used to go to. I stayed there because I am a loyal guy. I started my hobby from that shop and just stayed with it.

He is now running off some of his biggest clients including me and some people who spend 1-2 grand in a months time in there normally.

I now drive an extra 15-20 minutes to a shop that treats me with respect and while they don't know it all they can generally find someone who does know what i need. They even give 10% discount to AMA and local club members.

Cactus.

My Feedback: (1)

our local shop cant get its head around the concept that Master 9x6 and APC 8x8 props are very popular and in demand because the Master is for combat, the 8x8 for speed planes that belly land and snap them often.
you can go in at any time and ask, they wont have them, someone did get them to buy a bag, which went within 2 days, no more bags ordered
i did drop in the other day looking for a 37.5mm boat prop, no joy, just some sizes that will never be used.
apart from these things its pretty well stocked i guess, for someone only wanting basics at a high price anyway.

Fly4Funn

My Feedback: (14)

Best one I've ever been in, and I've been in quite a few, was Graves Hobby Shop in FL. There must be several hundred planes hanging from the ceiling, some places stacked 5 deep, and I think if you asked him for anything, he would pull it from someplace and set it on the counter. I've never seen so much in a single store, people are courtious, helpful, and friendly. You are welcomed as you walk in the door, and thanked as you leave.............NO exceptions. Last year when I went to FL jets, another chance to visit his shop was the highlight of the trip, not the jet show. I took a friend in for his first visit, he walked around with his mouth hung open in amazement, and spent about 800.00 there. If you are ever in the area, stop in. I think you will be amazed also!!

Razor-RCU

My Feedback: (50)

I support a local hobby shop in San Diego (Discount Hobbies)- it started when I needed some servo grommets:

They did not have any so the salesman walked me out to his car opened the trunk and GAVE me some (I tried to pay him he wouldn't take it-)... From now on I go there, it is farther than the local chain (Hobby People) but...

I order from Tower for hard to find stuff, and sometimes buy gas from the "chain" (YS-20/20) but thats about it...

The folks at the chains sometimes have not even heard of:

RCU
Irvine Engines
H9
MVVS
and JETT!

SDR-Hammer

Looks like a fairly even split between those that have similar experiences as mine and those that get great service from their LHS.

This particular shop was once a great place to buy airplane stuff but that was before a few employees moved on to other things. Things change and it's time for me to change loyalties.

Guess I wouldn't be to sensitive about things like out of stock items and getting unsolicited advise from the self appointed gurus, if they just were not so darn cocky.

As for them ordering parts, I likely wouldn't have them do so but would be nice if offered, so I would get an impression customer service lives. Other than the, don't have it tough chit, attitude.


Fly4Funn - Graves is legendary. We have a couple guys in the club that winter in FL and have told about the unique shop.

RedWing

My Feedback: (4)

I have had good and bad experiences in the LHS around my house. We have a new one 3 miles away but he stocks very little airplane stuff and his prices are high. The one I usually go to is Riders in Madison Heights Michigan. I can go on my lunch and get what I need. I fly with Bob the main airplane guy and he takes care of us. We get a discount of 10% on non sales items. The only problem with that is anything big is always "On Sale" but the on sale price is still higher than the on-line price. Oh well, I still try to support them as much as I can. If they don't have what I want, I usually just buy it on-line. Just like when I was looking for some cheap Hitec servos to put my trainer together for my son to start flying, I went to two shops and found nothing. I was not that picky on what model servo. Any low end one would do. But no luck. So off to ServoCity and go my servos delivered to my door and no shipping.

Bob also supports our club by getting things donated for raffles and door prizes. Thanks Bob!

Bill

runover1

My Feedback: (10)

One thing to remember here is that LHS will have more expenses than an online one. They have to pay the rent in whatever commercial retail space they are in, unless they own it. They have light bills, stocking fees, re-stocking fees and everything else the online guys have. They also have to carry insurance. An online store has some of these things, but substantially saves on rental space and insurance.
So, my point is, I do not mind paying a "little" more for the same thing as long as it is in stock. The closest shop to me is extremely overpriced and I only go there to buy small stuff that I need quickly. He has already been $80.00 above the other LHS and online stores for a radio. Most of the other stores will match or at the very least come close to the major online store, and you don't have to pay shippoing then.